Hello,
I recently encountered the following. I set up a blank observing list (no objects) and started adding observations to that observing list. When I go back and check the observing list, I see that it still has no objects. Would it be possible, when adding an observation to an observing list, for that object to be added to the observing list if it does not already exist?
Andrew,
There seems to be two issues.
1. Currently you should not be able to choose an observing list for an observation if that object is not already in the list. If it is letting you do this, what platform are you running on?
2. You are asking if we can show all lists as possible targets for an observation and add the object if it doesn't exist. That seems reasonable but I might need to think through the implications. I will add it to my list.
1. This does happen and I am using an iPad, all latest software
2. Thank you very much for considering
Observing lists are a very powerful feature and, for me, the key benefit of the software!
You are right about #1. I believe this is a bug since it doesn't show any lists to add to on Mac & Android if the object is not in a list. However, if I do make the change to automatically add it to the list, then we can leave it as it is.
Hey Bill--
As we discussed in the thread linked below, currently, the only way to tell if an object you potentially want to observe is on any of your observing lists is by creating an observation and clicking the Observing List button to see which ones it is a part of. This is a feature I use constantly and having every single list here would be quite a problem for me. I guess I don't understand what's wrong with just adding an object to an observing list before creating the actual observation. It sounds maybe like Andrew is trying to use observing lists as a 'session' to track that night's observations.
Thanks
Chris
I may be using Observing Lists oddly as I'm new to the software. For me an Observing List holds all objects of interest to me in a particular region of the sky, say for example a small constellation or part of a larger constellation. I usually add my objects in advance of observing, but sometimes I just come across an interesting new object in that region whilst at the telescope, observe it, and add it to my Observing List. I keep my observing lists active and updated. They are my go-to resource any time those parts of the celestial sphere are visible for observation. I think they are a great tool!
Andrew, that definitely sounds to me like you're using them as intended. The only thing I personally do different in those scenarios where an object isn't on a list is click the object, click Observe >-Add to observing list, then choose a list before creating my observation.
Maybe Bill can find a way to, within an observation, under the observing list option, to list all observation lists the object is currently part of, then at the bottom of that list add 'Add to observing list'. When that is clicked, maybe then it shows every list you have and let's you choose one for it to automatically be added.
Chris
Chris,
I think what you are doing is a bit of a kludge. I am strongly considering following Andrew's suggestion to show all lists in the observation and add the object to the chosen list if it is not already there. I think I should find a less kludgy way to determine if an object is in one of the observing lists.
That's fine, as long as we also have that new way to find if it's in a list at the same time. Also, it would be very helpful if the lists that the object is also a part of were differentiated, at the top or something, since I don't always know the exact list I have highlighted and it would be several steps to figure that out for each observation. If done incorrectly, this is something that would keep me from updating my sky safari version going forward.